Last Thursday was my birthday.
As I looked (and continue to look) back, I'm not so pleased with how this past year was. I feel like I didn't GROW that much.
*Insert short joke here*
Thanks to my mom's short Mexican genes, I am done growing; but of course, I mean spiritual growth. It didn't really happen this year.
Why?
Well, there shouldn't really be excuses for having a plateau in my faith.. but, this year was just really hard. I hated having online school, even though I loved what I was learning. That in itself took a lot out of me. I also figured, "Well, I'm taking Bible classes...soooooo, that can count as my devotional time for the day." And yes, it was awesome being able to learn more about the Bible, but there also needs to be a time that I just sit and meditate on it. As most of you know, my dad opened a coffee/sandwich shop, so I've been working there, almost as much as he has. So I guess, you could say, "Life got in the way."
Think about that though.
Life.
Life.
Life....? LIFE got in the way of the one who IS life???
The thing that just blows me away every time i think about it, is the fact that even when WE are not faithful to God, HE ALWAYS IS. I really don't understand that.
A couple months ago, I went with a wonderful parachurch organization called Inner City Impact (you'll be hearing a lot about them) to a winter camp. I can't remember what exactly we were talking about, but I know it was something along the lines of...yeah.. I can't remember. BUT, I do remember this part:
High school girls. Snow just outside . It was a circular room. We (the girls) had the comfy part of the room, with couches. There was a fire in the fireplace. The girls were listening as each shared about the topic being discussed. It's beautiful really, the things that happen to hearts at camp.. "It's crazy to think that GOD would still put up with me, much less love me when I would rather play Flappy Bird, instead of spend time with him. FLAPPY BIRD." I remember the girls laughing, and then sharing similar experiences.
So you might think this is a happy ending type of blog post. Unfortunately, it's not. I have been VERY irresponsible and undisciplined with spending time with God. That is something that I need accountability on.
BUT, my friends, and this is a big BUT, while I was telling my mom about the thoughts of this past year.. She reminded me about something. I was telling her how some kids from ICI wrote me birthday letters. "Well, what does that tell you about you're doing there? Growth doesn't always have to be in one specific area. You've grown in other areas."....
Well.... when she put it like that... made it seem like this was a pretty good year after all. This year has taught me SO much about being a leader, what true discipleship looks like, and more. Something that shocks me, is a line that was written in one of the letters I received for my birthday: "You taught me to smile." To smile, people. Something so simple. That meant SO much to me.
This year, my passion to serve God through ministering to youth has grown immensely.. kinda like from black to white. It's always been something I've wanted to do, but now that I'm ACTUALLY doing it.. WOW.
So yeah, thanks for reading.. Sorry it was kinda long.. and as always, any questions/comments.. drop em in the comment section or message me.
DEUCES.
